Suicide Resources

www.TheCitizensWhoCare.org

ZERO
ATTEMPTS
One Million & Counting
when IN CRISIS
cALL 800-273-8255 or
text "sos" to 741741

Conversation Guide
Is Their Life in Danger?
Suicide Prevention
Reach Out
Get Trained in Suicide Prevention
Resources for those who have lost someone to suicide
General Support and Information

We would like to help guide you to resources that will answer your questions, direct you to support groups or find treatment. We know that it can be an overwhelming task to find help. Visiting Bring Change 2 Mind was a good place to start and we can suggest a few options for you. Mental illnesses are treatable and, with proper medical attention, people living with a diagnosable condition can lead successful and productive lives. Learn the symptoms. Seek treatment. Find support. To find resources in your community we suggest contacting The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI is a national organization with local chapters offering support groups, classes and information. To find your NAMI State Organization, please click here. Local affiliates can be located through the state website. Below are some links to national organizations to help you find further information. While there are countless local organizations that do exemplary work in the mental health space, we must keep this resource list to those with national reach.

Conversation Guide

Some tips to start a conversation with someone about concerns around mental health.

DO: OBSERVE, COMMUNICATE, RESPECT

DON’T: ASSUME, ALIENATE, LABEL

Start a Conversation

  • Educate yourself before approaching the topic of mental health.
  • Find a place that’s both comfortable and private.
  • Don’t just talk about mental health – talk about other things you normally discuss or an activity/hobby you share.
  • Pick a time when you can both chat without interruption or distraction.
  • Be relaxed, open and approachable in your body language.
  • Validate their feelings.
  • Ask open-ended questions: ‘How are you?’ or ‘What’s been going on?’

Listen Without Judgment

  • Whatever they are saying, take it seriously.
  • Do not interrupt.
  • Encourage them to explain what they are struggling with.
  • Avoid using stigmatizing words and language.
  • Ask ‘How does it make you feel?’ or ‘How long have you felt that way?’

Encourage Action

  • Show that you’ve listened by recapping.
  • Help them think about options and next steps.
  • Urge them to commit to doing one thing that might help.
  • Ask them to write their feelings down if that is more comfortable than speaking.
  • If necessary, encourage them to see a doctor or health professional.
  • Offer to go with them to see a doctor or health professional.

Follow Up

  • Put a note on your calendar to call them in one week. If they’re really struggling, follow up sooner.
  • Make sure they’ve managed to take that first step and see someone.
  • If they didn’t find this experience helpful, urge them to try a different professional because there’s someone out there who can help them.
  • Schedule regular get-togethers to touch base or just spend time together doing fun activities.
  • Some helpful comments: “How are things going? Did you speak with your doctor? ?What did they suggest? What did you think of their advice?? You’ve had a busy time. Would you like me to make the appointment?”

Dealing with Denial?

  • If they deny the problem, don’t criticize. Acknowledge they’re not ready to talk.
  • Say you’re still concerned about changes in their behavior and you care about them.
  • Ask if you can check in again next week if there’s no improvement.
  • Avoid a confrontation with the person unless it’s necessary to prevent them hurting themselves or others.
  • Some helpful comments: “It’s ok that you don’t want to talk about it but please don’t hesitate to call me when you’re ready to discuss it. Can we meet up next week for a chat? Is there someone else you’d rather discuss this with?

Is Their Life in Danger?

  • If someone says they’re thinking about suicide, it’s important you take it seriously.
  • Tell them that you care about them and you want to help. Don’t become agitated, angry or upset.
  • Explain that thoughts of suicide are common and don’t have to be acted upon.
  • Ask if they’ve begun to take steps to end their life. If they have, it’s critical that you do NOT leave them alone and do NOT use guilt or threats to prevent suicide.
  • Even if someone says they haven’t made a plan for suicide, you still need to take it seriously.
  • Don’t hide suicidal comments even if asked to keep confidential – reach out for help.
  • Get immediate crisis help by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Text "SOS" to 741741.

Suicide Prevention

Reach Out

You are not alone in helping someone in crisis. There are many resources available to assess, treat and intervene. Crisis lines, counselors, intervention programs and more are available to you, as well as to the person experiencing the emotional crisis.

California Statewide & National Resources

California Statewide Resources http://dhcs.ca.gov/services/MH/Pages/SuicidePrevention.aspx

Each Mind Matters www.eachmindmatters.org

Join California’s mental health movement.

LivingWorks

To find local suicide prevention trainers or training, including ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and safeTALK workshops, esuicideTALK information and more, contact Kathleen Snyder, 925.939.1916 x147 or kathleens@crisis-center.org>

Make the Connection Maketheconnection.net

Shared experiences and support for veterans.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255

This free, 24-hour hotline is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Press 1 for Veterans assistance. Para español, oprima 2.

Get Trained in Suicide Prevention

There are several excellent trainings available to the public that teach the knowledge and skills to be an effective "gatekeeper" for people who are thinking about suicide. A gatekeeper is someone who is able and willing to help someone thinking about suicide get professional help.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a workshop for anyone who want to feel more comfortable, confident and competent in helping to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. To learn more about ASIST, visit www.livingworks.net. To find a workshop in California, email usa@livingworks.net

safeTALK is a three hour training that prepares anyone over the age of 15 to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. To learn more about safeTALK, visit www.livingworks.net. To find a workshop in California, email usa@livingworks.net

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. To learn more about this one-hour training, visit www.QPRInstitute.com

Resources for those who have lost someone to suicide

If you are bereaved by a suicide death, you may be in search of support for yourself and other loved ones. There are resources available online and in many communities that are specifically for people who have lost a loved one to suicide.

Survivors After Suicide Program

www.didihirsch.org/services/emergency/spc/sas

The SAS program is a support group offered through Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services. Only those who have lost a loved one to suicide are eligible to participate in the support group.

Friends For Survival

www.friendsforsurvival.org

Friends For Survival, Inc. is a California-based outreach organization open to those who have lost family or friends by suicide, and also to professionals who work with those who have been touched by a suicide tragedy. FFS also offers monthly support groups.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

www.afsp.org

The AFSP's Suicide Survivors Outreach Program has trained volunteers who conduct in person visits to newly bereaved family. They also provide information about support groups and other local resources. Visit the website to find out how to request an outreach visit.

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education

http://www.save.org/coping

SAVE provides a variety of resources and educational materials for coping with a loss to suicide including information on grief, finding comfort, and what to say to children.

American Association of Suicidology

http://www.suicidology.org/suicide-survivor-resources

AAS provides a variety of resources and educational materials for bereaved family and friends including locating a support group and how to facilitate your own survivor support group.

General Support and Information

Child and Adolescent Support

High School and College Support

Military and Veteran Communities

Global Anti-Stigma Alliance

International Organizations

Source: bringchange2mind.org/learn/resources/

 
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